Tuesday, May 27, 2008

The article says "the goal of Google’s travel division - aside from tapping into the $90+ billion global travel ad and sales market - is to give users a destination where they can research travel plans, read user reviews, and see user uploaded videos and photos".

This undoutbedly would be a sensible move for Google.

And, indeed, is the thinking of about as senior person in the global travel Googleplex, managing director for travel in the US, Rob Torres.

But, of course, Torres is quick to add the caveat most will be asking themselves:

It’s worth noting one thing that any future Google offering won’t have—airline fares or hotel bookings. Even Google is unwilling to try its hand at the part of the beleaguered industry’s business. The customer service investment is huge, explains Torres. Moreover, travel sites and airlines are some of Google’s largest advertisers.